Kris's Musician Corner

Friday, January 2, 2015

December 2014 Band Spotlight Chainfist

December Spotlight Artist ChainfistSince
the day of bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest the term ''Metal
Music'' has become probably the most diverse of all genres. There is
everything from rock, thrash, prog,
death, goth, industrial and on and on opening the doors for bands that
do not want to follow the FM popular bands or anyone else for that
reason to do things there own way. The styles of ''Metal'' are so
diverse depending on what country they are hailing from with some adding
more keyboards or some choosing to down tune to the point it sounds
like hell is opening up. Denmark native Chainfist
decided to go there own way not following the FM sheep nor anyone else
for that matter. They are a no non sense straight up in your face full
on metal band with great melodic overtones. Chainfist almost sound like a
mix of modern metal and prog
mixed with a bit of classic rock thrown in for good luck. With heavy
riffs and smooth well balanced leads a singer that knows when to turn on
the heat and when to harmonize and last but not least a rhythm section
that is about as tight as you can get. The band released there latest
album called ''Scarred'' on October 6 2014.

RBJ caught up with Mike Kopietz & Thomas Hvisel behind the massive guitars of the band!

RBJFor them that might not have heard of Chainfist lets roll on some basics.

When was the band formed, Where is the band from, Who are the members and what do they play?

MK:
Chainfist started out back in 2007 in Slagelse.
I came from the death metal scene and wanted to try some more down to
earth groove rhythms. At that time I was really alone with the song
writing. We tried all sorts of styles, which was to be found on our
debut „Black Out Sunday“ from 2010. We just wanted to play live shows,
getting the name out there, letting people know that we exist. And for
Chainfist, and 2014, its like pedal to the metal, full speed ahead.

RBJThe band released a new album not long ago called ''Scarred'' what was the writing process like on it?

TH:Well,
we all had many ideas, but they were pointing in many directions.
Mainly because of our different backgrounds and influences. But when we
found what we had in common, we began to make some good riffs and
Melody's. Some songs came out of nowhere, others needed a lot more work
and attention.

MK: Yeah, it was and is a very creative
process. Thomas and I are the ones providing the riffs, and ideas to the
others, we all have to take out what we like and don’t like, present it
to each other, and rewrite some of the shit again.

RBJWhere was ''Scarred'' recorded and who did the production on it?

MK:
''SCARRED“, was produced by Michael Hansen and the band, and it was
recorded in two studios… We did the recordings of the guitars and bass
in „Phon Studio“ with Michael Hansen from the danish band „Phonomik“
(Google it). And the drums and vocals was recorded in Jacob Hansen's
studios ''Hansen Studios.“ Giving us to opportunity to use some more
time, prerecording the songs first. Hard word I must say, but intense,
spontaneous, and you can really hear the amount of energy that was put
into this recording. Chainfist's new album entitled Scarred

RBJHas the band done any video's for the album. If so how did the band decide what song or songs to make into a video?

TH: Yeah. We have made a lyric video for 1000 ways to bleed, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9vA8jd0Vi4

I guess the reason for this song, is that its one of the first we made together... and its a killer!

MK:
It was pretty natural for us to pick out this one as Thomas say, this
one was one of the songs that write itself, and really shows Chainfist
from our strong side, not that the other songs doesn't, but check it
out!

RBJI have read that to really get a feel for Chainfist
a person must see the band perform live is there any shows coming up
and what do you think the band brings to the stage that makes them a
must see?

TH:We have two shows coming up atm. 4 Dec.
2014 in Amagerbio – Supporting Pretty Maids, and 30 Jan. 2015 at Lygten
Station in Denmark. Our Booker is preparing some more shows for us in
2015, so stay tuned for more updates regarding Tour.

A must see band, is something unique for you. But for me, its well played energetic heavy f**king metal!

MK:
Basically all good music must be heard live. Live is where all the real
magic happens, its were all the united metal heads stand together and
the music comes to a new level of intensity!

RBJI
wanted to talk a second about the song ''Black Rebel Noise''. The band
added a acoustic version of the song to the album what made the band
decide to show a softer side?

TH: Well it was discussed a lot! laugh! But hell why not? who hates acoustic guitar?

MK:
When the song was done as a promo track, Jackie put out my western
guitar, and started playing the song as a ”Band camp” song… I was like…
You know what, this is a radio song, promoting the band, in a acoustic
kinda way. Well… We could do it, and we did, like or not, its there.

RBJWe are a music and gear blog so what bands are your favorites and inspired you to be a musician?

TH:
I‘ll try to keep it short. Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jimmy Hendrix and
stuff. Later Judas Priest, W.A.S.P, Metallica, Death and Pantera.

MK: KISS has always been major icons for me, together with Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, Testament, Pantera etc.

RBJLike
the last question a lot of the readers are gear whore's also what gear
makes Chainfist rock n roll and is there a certain piece of gear you
cannot live without?

TH: We
are a metal band, so we need tons of CONTROLLED distortion! Huge amps,
and cabinets. The more the merrier! I think my friend Michael kopietz would say he cant live without EMG pickups!

MK:
True, my EMG’s these are a must for me, but not only this. I love heavy
guitars like Gibson. Put some 012 strings on them, and just do those
fast picks, and down strokes, then you can feel the love coming out of
the speaker.

RBJWhere can people find Chainfist online and also pick up the new album?

MK:
Jackie, just did a amazing job putting together our brand new web shop
(www.shop.chainfist.net). There you can buy all our products, hoodies,
cd’s, mugs, tanktops… Check it out, pretty cool stuff there.

RBJThere
are new bands starting in garage's and basements all over the world
what words of wisdom would you give them from not just the band portion
but the business side of being a band?

TH: I would say. Don't do it for the money, cause business is bad. Do it because you cant stop playing.

MK:
I agree… Do it because you cannot live without it, do it because you
feel at home, do it cause you feel as a person doing it. JUST DO IT, for
the love of music.

RBJAny last words to the amazing people reading this today?

THANK
YOU for reading this! For more on Chainfist, check out our website or
Facebook: www.chainfist.net – C-ya out there on stage, more to come from
us.

Thomas and Michael – Axemen from Chainfist!Cheers!!!

With
so much music and bands following what is popular on the FM dial or
following the latest fads there are still a few true to there roots
bands like Chainfist left in this world. There is nothing fancy about what Chainfist
does it is just right in your face metal done by people that believe in
what they do and could not do anything else but rock the masses!!! If
you get a chance to see them perform live I suggest you jump on it cause
they promise to make it a show you will never forget.